Pre Departure Orientation Seminar

[Scott & Kaye 32]

What's up with the Pre Departure Orientation Seminar? Where is this seminar held? How long does it take and when can you complete it? Can you complete it before your Embassy interview? From what I read its required for 12 or older?

I read a post where you can fly to a different destination other than USA and its not required but we will fly direct from Manila to USA.

Thanks for any feedback!

Scott

[Maw 1]

Check this link for more information and schedule.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140

Your fiance can attend the seminar in Manila or Cebu. I'm from Cebu City and I went to the CFO office few days ago. If she wanted to attend the said seminar here in Cebu she has to fall in line as early as 4am. They only have 12 slots per day here and it's first come first serve. In my experience, I went to their office as early as 6am unfotunately when I got there I was already no. 80 in the list and I was not able to attend the seminar at all. I have to go back again and make sure to be early.

What's up with the Pre Departure Orientation Seminar? Where is this seminar held? How long does it take and when can you complete it? Can you complete it before your Embassy interview? From what I read its required for 12 or older?

I read a post where you can fly to a different destination other than USA and its not required but we will fly direct from Manila to USA.

Thanks for any feedback!

Scott

[Hank_ 9,174]

What's up with the Pre Departure Orientation Seminar? Where is this seminar held? How long does it take and when can you complete it? Can you complete it before your Embassy interview? From what I read its required for 12 or older?

I read a post where you can fly to a different destination other than USA and its not required but we will fly direct from Manila to USA.

Thanks for any feedback!

Scott

Seminar is held at CFO in Manila and Cebu, might as well kiss a day good by, if you get there early enough. There is info on CFO in my link if interested.

I would not even think about that "alternate idea"

[Scott & Kaye 32]

Check this link for more information and schedule.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1348:fiancee-spouses-and-other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140

Thank you for your reply, Yes I saw that website and it looked so convoluted I decided to post here. My fiancé is from Davao and I was hoping to cut down on the flights and hotel costs to Manila.

Any other info people?

[Scott & Kaye 32]

Seminar is held at CFO in Manila and Cebu, might as well kiss a day good by, if you get there early enough. There is info on CFO in my link if interested.

I would not even think about that "alternate idea"

Thanks for the reply Mr. Hanky Panky. Haha Sorry just had to add that Its Scott not Kaye.

Ok so its its in Manila and take a whole day? Can you do it before the interview? Im guessing yes?

Our interview is on March 24th,

Trying to figure if I should fly Kaye and her daughter who will turn 13 in 3 days a day early to do the orientation or have them schedule it after the interview.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Scott & Kaye

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thanks for the reply Mr. Hanky Panky. Haha Sorry just had to add that Its Scott not Kaye.

Ok so its its in Manila and take a whole day? Can you do it before the interview? Im guessing yes?

Our interview is on March 24th,

Trying to figure if I should fly Kaye and her daughter who will turn 13 in 3 days a day early to do the orientation or have them schedule it after the interview.

The CFO seminar is a half day, but they only have 15 seats per session, one session in the morning - one in the afternoon for Manila. If they don't get a seat in the morning hopefully they will get a seat in the afternoon... that is why I said plan to burn a day, just in case.

Yes they can do the seminar before the interview, many do it that way because of the limited seating, then come back after they have the visa to get the sticker.

[Steve&Ema 25]

So PDOS = CFO? From what Ema told me she did PDOS when working overseas. CFO is for spouses or fiancees.

Ema went to CFO at 10:30am and got an afternoon slot. Pre-registration took about 1 hour and then we went back at 1:30 and we were there until 5pm. She went back today for her sticker and that took another half day. We are now ready to fly home

[Greenbaum 12,259]

This topic has been talked about so many times on VJ. You do a search and you will read what others experienced. This is a good place to get started.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/433264-cfo-seminar-in-manila-may-30-2013/

[Scott & Kaye 32]

So PDOS = CFO? From what Ema told me she did PDOS when working overseas. CFO is for spouses or fiancees.

Ema went to CFO at 10:30am and got an afternoon slot. Pre-registration took about 1 hour and then we went back at 1:30 and we were there until 5pm. She went back today for her sticker and that took another half day. We are now ready to fly home

This is Kaye, I'm happy for both of you...have a safe flight and keep in touch

[Scott & Kaye 32]

Ok Kaye will complete the CFO Seminar the day after she has her Embassy Visa Interview in Manila.

She will not be able to get her Sticker until she has her Visa in hand I guess so she will need to go back to get her Sticker.

We have some flights to USA already planned that will not give her the time to go to the CFO office in Manila to get the stamp unless we rebook.

I read somewhere here but cant find it again that you can call ahead and arrange to have your Sticker reserved for you at the airport??

I know the Philippines and this sounds impossible to actually have something reserved prior to departure.

Any info on this?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Yes you can get the sticker at the airport, have to call 2-3 days ahead to arrange this. There is info in the link below under the CFO tab

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Scott & Kaye, on 09 Mar 2014 - 12:34 AM, said:

Ok Kaye will complete the CFO Seminar the day after she has her Embassy Visa Interview in Manila.

She will not be able to get her Sticker until she has her Visa in hand I guess so she will need to go back to get her Sticker.

We have some flights to USA already planned that will not give her the time to go to the CFO office in Manila to get the stamp unless we rebook.

I read somewhere here but cant find it again that you can call ahead and arrange to have your Sticker reserved for you at the airport??

I know the Philippines and this sounds impossible to actually have something reserved prior to departure.

Any info on this?

You can get your CFO sticker (you must still take the seminar either at the Cebu or Manila locations and be sure to bring your certificate with you if you are going to get the sticker at the airport) at Manila NIAI Term 1. The request that you call ahead 2-3 days. They are open from 5am till 12 midnight - CFO NAIA desk is at terminal one.. beside TIEZA travel tax desk.. between the entrance doors with the x-ray / conveyor machines..

CFO NAIA: 632-879-5685 or 02-879-5685 or 632-879-5685

[Scott & Kaye 32]

You can get your CFO sticker (you must still take the seminar either at the Cebu or Manila locations and be sure to bring your certificate with you if you are going to get the sticker at the airport) at Manila NIAI Term 1. The request that you call ahead 2-3 days. They are open from 5am till 12 midnight - CFO NAIA desk is at terminal one.. beside TIEZA travel tax desk.. between the entrance doors with the x-ray / conveyor machines..

CFO NAIA: 632-879-5685 or 02-879-5685 or 632-879-5685

Thank you for the information. Looks like we are going to try and reserve the sticker ahead of time at the airport.